Posey’s rapid recovery impresses Texans

Owen Daniels could feel DeVier Posey’s pain during the offseason when they were working out at the Texans’ facility.

Daniels, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament midway through the 2009 season and wasn’t 100 percent until 2011.
Posey, a third-round pick last year, was rehabilitating from surgery that repaired his ruptured left Achilles tendon, an injury he suffered in the divisional playoff loss at New England.

During Monday’s light practice, Posey was back on the field with Daniels and his teammates for the first time since January. The Texans removed Posey from the physically unable to perform list and placed him on the active roster.

“I’m kind of blown away by it, honestly,” Daniels said about Posey’s amazing recovery. “That’s seven months. To think he got hurt in January and has come back in August, that’s almost unbelievable.

“But I saw how hard he worked in the offseason. It’s surprising, but it shows how bad he wants to be out here.”

As a rookie, Posey (6-1, 206) tried to watch and learn behind his teammates. At the end of the season, he flashed the kind of talent the coaches knew he had, catching six passes for 87 yards in the last four games.

“He was getting his chance, and we had a lot of trust in him, and he was becoming part of this offense,” Daniels said. “He wants to be out here bad.

“He sees talented young receivers, and he knows we took a receiver (DeAndre Hopkins) in the first round, and I’m sure that’s all motivation for him.”

Taking it slow

Being activated doesn’t guarantee Posey, 23, will play in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints at Reliant Stadium.

“It’s my understanding that if he has a great week, we might get a few reps out of him, kind of like we did (inside linebacker Brian) Cushing against Miami (10 plays),” coach Gary Kubiak said. “That would be a huge bonus. Right now, we need for him to have a good week of practice.

“We’ll probably put him through a progression like if he was playing in preseason. When he’s ready to go, he gives you 20 snaps one week and 30 the next. By the time you get three or four games deep into the season, he’s full go. We’ll have to see how he does this week.”

Most thought Posey would have to begin the regular season on the PUP list, which would require him to miss the first six weeks, but Kubiak thought there was a chance he might make it back for the Sept. 9 opener at San Diego.

“This summer, when I came over here (practice facility) and watched him work out during their (players) break and he was still doing his rehab, I watched him one day, and his workout was exceptional,” Kubiak said. “He’d come so far. We knew right then we had a chance.

“Give the kid credit. He’s gone above and beyond. He’s lived here ever since the surgery, and what a job he’s done to get back this soon.”

Posey knows what it takes to get ready to play.

“I’ve been in shape before, and I know how to (get into) condition,” he said. “I’ll do some extra stuff after practice and get it back as soon as possible.

Next step: contact

“I need to get hit. I need to get tackled, bounce up, give the ball to the ref, run back to the huddle and know I’m all right. That’ll help.”

Posey has been pleased by his progress during his rehabilitation.

“Yeah, it’s been surprising,” Posey said. “I was most surprised on the days I didn’t want to do things and I was just actually in there working and pushing.

“Everything but football I changed — my diet, my sleeping habits.

“I wondered what this day would be like for a long time. This is just step one for me. I feel like once I put on my jersey and get out there (at Wednesday’s practice), I’ll feel like I’m back.”